Eardrum



Feb. 20, 1923.

A. o. LEONARD EARDRUM Filed Dec; '7, 1921 Patented Feb. 20,1923.

PATENT OFFICE.

ASIBURY OSMAN LEONARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EARDRUM.

Application filed December 7, 1921. Serial No. 520,564.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Asnunr O. LEONARD, citizen of the United States of America. and resident of New Yorln in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Eardrums of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in artificial ear drums of that class adapted to be positioned in the auditory canal of the ear against the tympanum. and to afford support for the ossicles. The object of the present invention is the provision of a structure so formed as to have contact with but limited areas of the Wall of the canal so that the liability of its adherence thereto is minimized. Another object of the invention is to form the structure so as to admit of thorough ventilation of the auditory canal while the device is positioned therein. These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a perspective view of an ear drum embodying the invention, drawn upon an enlarged scalegand Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device. drawn upon a similar scale.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention comprises a structure of pliant rubber or similar material. and shaped so as to have a hollow spherical supporting member 1 and a contiguous trumpet 2 having communication through its small end with the sphere. The outer end of the trumpet is open. and adjacent thereto is formed an annular ridge 3 having a series of external protuberances 4 that are spaced apart. The thickness of the walls of the sphere and trumpet, including the ridge and its protuberances are substantially uniform throughout. and the size of the structure is such as to be contained in place within the ear without being compressed out of its normal state, and so that the protuberances will bear lightly against the wall of the auditory canal and hold the ridge 3 from contact therewith.

In utilizing the invention the instrument is inserted in the auditory canal with the spherical member resting gently against the tympanum and in supporting relation with the ossicles and with the trumpet directed outwardly. The protuberances, being spaced apart and projecting outwardly from the ridge sustain the trumpet centrally in the canal and afford passageways therebetween through which the ear is ventilated. Also,

as the protuberances form the only point of contact between the trumpet and the wall of the canal the general surface of the trumpet is sustained out of contact therewith and thus is prevented from adhering thereto which practically obviates possible injury to the wall of the canal and facilitates the removal of the instrument.

lVhat I claim is 1. An artificial ear drum comprising a hollow spherical member, and an integral trumpet having communication at its small end with the member and having adjacent its opposite end an annular series of protuberances spaced apart adapted to have contact with the wall of the canal of the ear and support the trumpet centrally therein.

2. An artificial ear drum comprising a hollow member including a trumpet formed with an annular ridge adjacent its outer end, the ridge having an external annular series of protuberances spaced apart adapted to hold the general surface of the trumpet from direct contact with the wall of the canal of the ear.

3. In an ear drum of the class described, a hollow body adapted to be positioned in the ear and having an annular series of protuberances spaced apart and which are adapted to have contact with the wall of the canal and sustain the device centrally therein so that the surface of the body adjacent the protuberances is held from contact with the wall.

In testimony whereof I ,aiiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ASBURY OSMAN LEONARD.

Witnesses BLANCHE POKORNY, MYRTLE Fox. 

